On the Edge of Reality

Abstract This study investigates the representation of violence and dictatorship in Yasmina Khadra's The Dictator's Last Night (2015), contextualised within the tumultuous period of the 2011 Libyan uprising. Employing a qualitative literary analysis methodology, the research explores how Khadra integrates historical events and figures, particularly Muammar al-Qaddafi, to construct a fictional narrative that reflects the complexities of authoritarian rule. The analysis encompasses close readings of the protagonist's development, narrative structure, and thematic elements of power and resistance. The purpose of this research is to elucidate the interplay between fiction and historical reality, examining how Khadra portrays the regime's violent strategies against both rebels and vulnerable populations, particularly women. By analysing the protagonist's internal monologues and retrospective reflections, this study aims to provide a nuanced understanding of the psychological dimensions of dictatorship and the societal ramifications of revolutionary violence, ultimately contributing to the discourse on authoritarian governance in contemporary literature